Label Printer, Control Method for a Label Printer, and Non-Transitory Storage Medium

ABSTRACT

Writing incorrect information to an IC tag affixed to a label is prevented. When a control command including recording information, an instruction to print the recording information on a label, and an instruction to write data including at least time-related information to an IC tag affixed to the label is received from a host computer, the system controller of a label printer prints the recording information and writes the write data based on time information input from a RTC, but does not print the recording information and write the write data based on the control command if an error was detected by RTC error detector.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of, and claims priority under 35U.S.C. §120 on, application Ser. No. 13/863,676, filed Apr. 16, 2013,which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 on Japanese application no.2012-097267, filed Apr. 23, 2012. Each such priority application ishereby expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a media processing device (labelprinter) that can write information to an integrated circuit tag (ICtag) disposed to a medium (label), to a control method therefor, and toa non-transitory storage medium that stores a program for controllingthe label printer.

2. Related Art

Media processing devices, such as recording devices and label printers,that can write information to IC tags, such as electronic tags and RFID(radio frequency identification) tags, that are embedded in a recordingmedium or label and configured to communicate contactlessly are knownfrom the literature. See, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Appl.Pub. JP-A-2009-83459.

Media having an information-carrying IC tag are used in various ways.For example, when a customer checks a bag at the check-in counter of anairport, information identifying the flight on which the baggage is tobe loaded may be written to an IC tag embedded in the baggage ticketmedia, and the baggage ticket is then affixed by adhesive or other meansto the baggage. When the baggage is then taken for loading, theinformation in the IC tag of the baggage ticket affixed to the luggageis read to identify the plane on which the luggage should be loaded.

When information written to the IC tag of the medium is used to identifythe luggage to which the media is attached, the identification must beaccurate and reliable. More generally, this is true in any situation inwhich information written to an IC tag is to be relied upon foridentification.

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide techniques inthe form of structure, methods and programs for writing accurate, andhence reliable, information to the IC tag of media, such as labels.

One aspect of the invention is a label printer that can connect to acontrol device. The label printer comprises a real-time clock that keepstime; an error detector that detects a real-time clock error; a datawriter that writes predetermined information by wireless communicationto an IC tag embedded in a label on continuous paper; a printingmechanism that prints on the label; and a controller that controls thedata writer, checks the error detector when identification informationis received from the control device, and acquires time information fromthe real-time clock. The controller also causes the data writer to writethe time information and identification information to the IC tag andthe printing mechanism to print a symbol code on the label if the errordetector did not detect a real-time clock error, and causes the datawriter to prohibit the writing of the time information andidentification information to the IC tag if the error detector detecteda real-time clock error.

When identification information to be recorded on the label is received,the label printer in this aspect of the invention writes theidentification information together with time information from the RTCto the IC tag by the data writer. The reliability of the informationwritten to the IC tag is increased by adding time informationidentifying the time the data was written with the identificationinformation unique to the IC tag. As a result, if the identificationinformation written to the IC tag affixed to baggage received from acustomer at a check-in counter in an airport is wrong, the time that thebaggage was checked at the airport check-in counter can be referenced ifthe check-in time is also written to the IC tag, and the owner of thebaggage, the flight the baggage should be loaded on, and whether thebaggage was loaded can be determined. Furthermore, because timeinformation from a RTC in the label printer is used, the reliability ofthe information written to the IC tag can be improved because incorrecttime information will not be written to the IC tag if wrong timeinformation is sent from the control device. The reliability of the timekept by the RTC is therefore essential. This aspect of the inventiontherefore does not write the write data (identification information andtime information) to the IC tag if a RTC error is detected. If the ICtag is written normally, the user can therefore know that the timeinformation and identification information was also written correctly tothe IC tag. Writing incorrect time information to the IC tag can also beprevented when an RTC error occurs.

Preferably, the label printer also has a reporter, and the controllercontrols the reporter to report if a real-time clock error was detectedby the error detector. This configuration enables the user to know bythe report that a RTC error occurred and the corresponding IC tag cannotbe used. The user can also take appropriate corrective action.

Preferably, the controller controls the printing mechanism to printreport information on the label if a real-time clock error was detectedby the error detector. By printing information that an error occurred onthe label, this aspect of the invention enables the user to know thatcorrect information was not written to the IC tag located proximally towhere the error report was recorded on the label. The user can also morereliably be made aware that a real-time clock error occurred.

In another aspect of the invention, the label printer has a memory thatstores report information. If a real-time clock error was not detectedby the error detector, the controller controls the printing mechanism toprint the identification information on the label. If a real-time clockerror was detected by the error detector, the controller controls theprinting mechanism to print the report information stored in the memoryon the label. Thus, if a real-time clock error occurs in this aspect ofthe invention, the printing mechanism prints the report information onthe label instead of printing the identification information. Becausethis report information is previously stored in a memory in the labelprinter, the report information does not need to be sent from thecontrol device and can be quickly recorded.

In a label printer according to another aspect of the invention, theerror detector detects a real-time clock error if the real-time clock isnot operating or if the time kept by the real-time clock is reset. Whenthe RTC is not operating, there may be a problem with the RTC itself.The RTC may also not be operating when there is a problem with the powersupply, such as when the backup battery is depleted when the labelprinter power is turned off and stops supplying power to the RTC, orthere is poor contact with the battery terminals. If the RTC is reset,the time kept by the RTC may be wrong because the time is reinitialized.A history of the RTC being reset is stored by the RTC or in the memoryof the label printer, and the controller can read this information todetermine if the RTC was reset. The RTC may be reset when, for example,the power supply is stopped and then resumed, there is interference fromelectrostatic noise or a shock, or the entire label printer is reset bya command from the control device. This aspect of the invention enablesappropriately detecting RTC errors.

Another aspect of the invention is a control method for a label printerthat can connect to a control device and includes a real-time clock thatkeeps time, an error detector that detects a real-time clock error, adata writer that writes predetermined information by wirelesscommunication to an IC tag embedded in a label on continuous paper, anda printing mechanism that prints on the label. The control methodincludes checking the error detector when identification information isreceived from the control device; acquiring time information from thereal-time clock; writing the time information and identificationinformation to the IC tag using the data writer and printing a symbolcode on the label using the printing mechanism if the error detector didnot detect a real-time clock error; and prohibiting the writing of suchinformation to the IC tag if the error detector detected a real-timeclock error.

In the control method according to another aspect of the invention, thelabel printer has a reporter; and the control method further includesreporting by the reporter if a real-time clock error was detected by theerror detector.

In the control method according to another aspect of the invention, suchmethod further comprises reporting information on the label by theprinting mechanism if a real-time clock error was detected by the errordetector.

In the control method according to another aspect of the invention, thelabel printer has a memory that stores report information. The controlmethod further includes printing the identification information on thelabel by the printing mechanism if a real-time clock error was notdetected by the error detector, and printing the report informationstored in the memory on the label by the printing mechanism if areal-time clock error was detected by the error detector.

In the control method according to another aspect of the invention, theerror detector detects a real-time clock error if the real-time clock isnot operating or if the time kept by the real-time clock is reset.

Another aspect of the invention is a non-transitory storage medium thatstores a program executed by a controller that controls parts of a labelprinter that can connect to a control device and includes a real-timeclock that keeps time, an error detector that detects a real-time clockerror, a data writer that writes predetermined information by wirelesscommunication to an IC tag embedded in a label on continuous paper, anda printing mechanism that prints on the label. The program causes thecontroller to: check the error detector when identification informationis received from the control device; acquire time information from thereal-time clock; cause the data writer to write the time information andidentification information to the IC tag and the printing mechanism toprint a symbol code on the label if the error detector did not detect areal-time clock error; and cause the data writer to prohibit the writingof such information to the IC tag if the error detector detected areal-time clock error.

In another aspect of a storage medium that stores a program according tothe invention, the label printer has a reporter; and the program causesthe controller to report by the reporter if a real-time clock error wasdetected by the error detector.

In another aspect of a storage medium that stores a program according tothe invention, the program causes the controller to print reportinformation on the label by the printing mechanism if a real-time clockerror was detected by the error detector.

In another aspect of a storage medium that stores a program according tothe invention, the label printer has a memory that stores reportinformation; and the program causes the controller to print theidentification information on the label by the printing mechanism if areal-time clock error was not detected by the error detector, and causesthe controller to print the report information stored in the memory onthe label by the printing mechanism if a real-time clock error wasdetected by the error detector.

In another aspect of a storage medium that stores a program according tothe invention, the error detector detects a real-time clock error if thereal-time clock is not operating or if the time kept by the real-timeclock is reset.

Effect of the Invention

As the foregoing explains, the invention improves the reliability ofinformation written to an IC tag embedded in a label. Other objects andattainments together with a fuller understanding of the invention willbecome apparent and appreciated by referring to the followingdescription and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration of a media processing systemaccording to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows an example of special media.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a mediaprocessing device.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of media processing device operation.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of media processing device operation.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below withreference to the accompanying figures.

FIG. 1 shows the basic configuration of a media processing system 1according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 shows anexample of special paper 10 (medium, recording medium) that is processedby the media processing device 2.

The media processing system 1 is, for example, a system that is used atcheck-in counters in airports where airlines accept baggage fromcustomers. A function of the media processing system 1 is to producelabels (“baggage tags” below) with information identifying the flight ofthe airplane on which the baggage should be loaded recorded on therecording surface, and information identifying the flight written to anRFID tag 11 (IC tag, contactless tag) that is embedded on the baggagetag when baggage is received from a customer. The baggage tag is thenattached with adhesive or a string, for example, to the baggage. Whenthe baggage is loaded on the plane, the flight of the airplane on whichthe baggage should be loaded is identified by reading the informationwritten to the RFID tag 11 of the baggage tag attached to the baggageusing a dedicated reader, for example, so that the baggage is loaded onthe correct flight.

As shown in FIG. 2, the special paper 10 has plural label blocks 14connected in a continuous series in a specific direction. One labelblock 14 corresponds to one baggage tag, and one baggage tag is producedby recording a specific image on the recording surface 14 a of one labelblock 14, writing specific information to the RFID tag 11 of that onelabel block 14, and then cutting the one label block 14 from the specialpaper 10.

A RFID tag 11 is disposed to each label block 14 at a specific position.The RFID tag 11 can communicate contactlessly, and communicates with thereader/writer 15 of the media processing device 2 described below bynear-field wireless communication based on a specific standard such asthe NFC protocol. Each RFID tag 11 has an antenna and an IC chip, andthe IC chip includes a control circuit, RF (radio frequency)communication unit, signal processor that functions as a modem unit, andrewritable semiconductor nonvolatile memory that stores data.

As shown in FIG. 1, the media processing system 1 has a media processingdevice 2 that processes special paper 10, and a host computer 3 (controldevice) that controls the media processing device 2.

The media processing device 2 has a storage unit 19 that stores specialpaper 10 in a roll. The media processing device 2 executes a specificprocess on each of the label blocks 14 in the special paper 10 whileconveying the special paper 10 stored in the storage unit 19 in aspecific direction.

The control unit 20 includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, and other peripheralcircuits, and centrally controls other parts of the media processingdevice 2. More specifically, a control program that controls the basicoperation of the media processing device 2 is stored in ROM, and the CPUof the control unit 20 controls other parts of the media processingdevice 2 and processes the special paper by reading and executing thecontrol program from ROM.

The indicator 21 includes a plurality of LEDs and displays informationsuch as the operating mode of the media processing device 2 and errorreports by turning the LEDs on and off, and changing the display colorof the LEDs when on, to illuminate various combinations.

The reader/writer 15 includes an antenna, RF unit, and signal processorthat functions as a modem, communicates with the RFID tag 11 disposed toa label block 14 of the special paper 10 by near-field communicationaccording to a specific standard or based on a specific standard, writesinformation to a specific address in the semiconductor memory of theRFID tag 11, and reads information stored in the semiconductor memory ofthe RFID tag 11. Writing information to a specific address in thesemiconductor memory of the RFID tag 11 is referred to below as simply“writing information to the RFID tag 11,” and reading information storedin the semiconductor memory of the RFID tag 11 is referred to as simply“reading information from the RFID tag 11.” The reader/writer 15 workswith other parts and devices in this embodiment to function as a datawriting unit that writes information by wireless communication to theRFID tag 11 (contactless tag) embedded in the media.

The recording mechanism 24 is a mechanism that records an image on therecording surface 14 a of a label block 14 of the special paper 10, andincludes a recording head 25. The recording head 25 is a line thermalhead having heat elements arrayed in a direction crossing the conveyancedirection of the special paper 10, and records images using thecombination of dots formed by applying heat to the recording surface 14a of the label block 14 of the special paper 10. In this embodiment therecording mechanism 24 works with other parts and devices to function asa recording unit that records on the recording surface of media.

The conveyance mechanism 26 includes a conveyance motor 27 and a platenroller 28 connected to the conveyance motor 27, turns the platen roller28 in a specific direction by driving the conveyance motor 27, andconveys the special paper 10 in the conveyance direction by rotation ofthe platen roller 28.

The memory unit 40 is nonvolatile flash ROM, for example, that receivesand stores specific information such as report information from the hostcomputer 3. When an error occurs, for example, this information is readby the control unit 20 and recorded on the special paper 10 by therecording mechanism 24.

The RTC 29 (real-time clock) keeps the current date and time (date andtime) using power supplied from a battery not shown, and outputs timeinformation indicating the current date and time (“time data” below) tothe control unit 20. In addition to a control circuit, the RTC 29includes volatile RTC memory 29 a and non-volatile RTC memory 29 b.

Time data indicating the current time and date is stored in the volatileRTC memory 29 a. In addition to data and a control program forcontrolling the RTC 29, reset data (reset history) indicating that theRTC 29 was reset in the past is stored in the non-volatile RTC memory 29b.

A RTC 29 reset means that the RTC 29 stopped operating and then resumedoperation. Operation will stop, for example, if the power supply to theRTC 29 is interrupted because of a poor battery terminal connection orbecause the battery ran out of power. When the normal power supply tothe RTC 29 resumes, the data stored in the volatile RTC memory 29 a iscleared and the RTC 29 then resumes operating. This is called a reset.The RTC 29 also resets after operation is interrupted by a reset signalfrom the host computer 3 or noise, for example. Because the time datastored in the volatile RTC memory 29 a is initialized and the RTC 29then starts operating and resumes keeping time when the RTC 29 is reset,the date and time indicated by the time data stored in the volatile RTCmemory 29 a will differ from the actual date and time. When the RTC 29is thus reset, the RTC 29 control circuit stores reset data in thenon-volatile RTC memory 29 b indicating the RTC 29 was reset. Inpractice, this reset data could be a flag stored at a specific addressin the non-volatile RTC memory 29 b.

The host computer 3 is a terminal that controls the media processingdevice 2, has a device driver for controlling the media processingdevice 2 installed, sends control commands and information for recordingon the special paper 10, and information to be written to the RFID tag11, to the media processing device 2, and causes the media processingdevice 2 to execute specific processes using functions of the devicedriver.

FIG. 3 shows the function blocks of the main functions of the controlunit 20. The functions of the function blocks shown in FIG. 3 areachieved by the cooperation of hardware and software, such as the CPU ofthe control unit 20 reading and executing a basic control program storedin ROM.

A system controller 35 centrally controls an RTC controller 36, an RFIDtag read/write controller 37, a recording controller 38, and a displaycontroller 39.

The RTC controller 36 is a function block that controls the RTC 29, andincludes a RTC time setting unit 36 a, RTC error detection unit 36 b(error detection unit), and RTC information reader 36 c. Note that thefunction of the RTC error detection unit 36 b (error detection unit) canbe performed by the CPU of the control unit 20.

The RTC time setting unit 36 a is a function block that sets the dateand time kept by the RTC 29 by overwriting the time data stored in thevolatile RTC memory 29 a. The device driver installed in the hostcomputer 3 also functions to provide a user interface for the user toinput the date and time to be kept by the RTC 29. To set the currentdate and time when the RTC 29 is reset, the user inputs the current dateand time through the user interface. Another function of the devicedriver generates a control command for writing time data indicating thedate and time input by the user to the volatile RTC memory 29 a of theRTC 29, and sends the command to the media processing device 2. Whenthis control command is received, the RTC time setting unit 36 aaccesses the volatile RTC memory 29 a of the RTC 29, and overwrites thetime data stored in memory with time data indicating the date and timeinput by the user based on the control command.

The RTC error detection unit 36 b is a function block that detects RTC29 errors. The RTC error detection unit 36 b detects RTC 29 errors usingthe two methods described below.

In the first method, the RTC error detection unit 36 b accesses thevolatile RTC memory 29 a of the RTC 29. If data cannot be normallywritten to or read from the volatile RTC memory 29 a, the RTC 29 is notoperating normally due to insufficient battery power, poor contact, orother reason, and the RTC error detection unit 36 b detects a RTC 29error.

In the second method, the RTC error detection unit 36 b accesses thenon-volatile RTC memory 29 b of the RTC 29. If the reset data is storedat the specific address in memory, the RTC error detection unit 36 bdetects a RTC 29 error. This is because if the RTC 29 was reset, thedate and time indicated by the time data stored in the volatile RTCmemory 29 a may differ from the actual date and time as described above.If the RTC 29 was reset, there may also be a problem with some otherpart of the media processing device 2.

The RTC information reader 36 c accesses the volatile RTC memory 29 a ofthe RTC 29, acquires the time data stored in the memory (data indicatingthe current date and time kept by the RTC 29), and outputs the timeinformation to the system controller 35.

The RFID tag read/write controller 37 controls the reader/writer 15 ascontrolled by the system controller 35, and writes information to theRFID tag 11 embedded in the label block 14 of the special paper 10, orreads information from the RFID tag 11.

The recording controller 38 controls the recording mechanism 24, andrecords an image on the recording surface 14 a of a label block 14 ofthe special paper 10. The recording controller 38 includes a normalrecording control unit 38 a and a VOID recording control unit 38 b.

The display controller 39 outputs drive signals through the signalprocessor to the LEDs of the indicator 21, and causes the LEDs to turnon or off in specific ways. The display controller 39 includes areporting unit 39 a.

The basic operation of the media processing device 2 according to thisembodiment of the invention when producing a baggage tag is describednext.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of operation of media processing device 2 whenproducing a baggage tag. Note that the special paper 10 is suitablyconveyed below, and further description of the conveyance method isomitted.

The system controller 35 of the control unit 20 of the media processingdevice 2 first checks if a control command (tag production command) forproducing a baggage tag was received from the host computer 3 (stepSA1).

This tag production command is described in detail below.

As described above, when a bag is checked by a customer, a tag isproduced with identification information identifying the flight on whichthe bag should be loaded recorded on the recording surface of thebaggage tag and written to the RFID tag 11. To produce a baggage tag,the host computer 3 generates and sends a tag production commandincluding a recording instruction command C1 and a writing instructioncommand C2 to the media processing device 2.

The recording instruction command C1 is a control command that containsrecording information D1 (identification information) and instructsrecording the recording information D1 on the recording surface 14 a ofthe label block 14 to be issued as a baggage tag. In this embodiment therecording information D1 contains identification information includingat least one of (1) information about the customer, such as the customername (customer information); (2) information identifying the flight onwhich the bag should be loaded (flight information); and (3) a barcodeidentifying the flight on which the bag should be loaded (barcodeinformation). By recording recording information D1 containing at leastone of the customer information, flight information, and barcodeinformation on the recording surface of the baggage tag, the flight onwhich the bag to which the baggage tag is attached should be loaded canbe identified by reading the recording information D1 or scanning thebarcode information with a barcode reader. The information contained inthe recording information D1 is not limited to the foregoing, andinformation other than the three types described above can be includedin the identification information.

The media processing device 2 could receive only the recordinginformation D1 instead of the recording instruction command C1 from thehost computer 3. In this implementation, the recording information D1 isidentification information identifying the tag to be produced, and themedia processing device 2 proceeds from step SA2 described below afterreceiving recording information D1 as the identification information.

The writing instruction command C2 is a control command that instructswriting write data D2 to the RFID tag 11. This write data D2 includesthe flight information contained in the foregoing recording informationD1, and current date and time information (time-related information,referred to below as “current date and time information”). Theparticular flight on which the bag should be loaded can be identifiedmore accurately by using this combination of flight information andcurrent date and time information. When baggage is sorted according tothe actual flights on which bags should be loaded, the write data D2 isread from the RFID tag 11 by an RFID tag 11 reader not shown, and theflight on which a bag should be loaded can be identified based on thewrite data D2 that was read. The write data D2 is thus used to identifythe flight on which a bag should be loaded. Even if this flightinformation is wrong, the correct flight can be determined from theinformation stored at check-in by comparing the current date and timeinformation written to the RFID tag 11 and the time of check-in storedin the check-in system. If the current date and time information writtento the RFID tag 11 is incorrect (does not indicate the current time anddate), the wrong flight may be identified by the write data D2, oridentifying the flight may not be possible. As a result, writing writedata D2 containing inaccurate current date and time information to theRFID tag 11 must be reliably prevented.

In this embodiment the current date and time information includes boththe date (year, month, day) and time (hour and minute), but otherinformation, such as the month and day, could be used instead if theinformation in combination with the flight information can uniquelyidentify a particular flight.

When a tag production command is received (step SA1 returns YES), thesystem controller 35 reads the writing instruction command C2 containedin the tag production command (step SA2). The next steps SA3 to SA6 areexecuted by the system controller 35 reading and executing the writinginstruction command C2.

The system controller 35 acquires the flight information from therecording information D1 contained in the recording instruction commandC1 of the tag production command (step SA3).

Next, the system controller 35 gets the time data stored in the volatileRTC memory 29 a of the RTC 29 from the RTC information reader 36 c, andgets the current date and time information (step SA4).

Next, the system controller 35 generates write data D2 combining theflight information acquired in step SA3 and the current date and timeinformation acquired in step SA4 (step SA5), and controls the RFID tagread/write controller 37 to write the write data D2 to the RFID tag 11through the reader/writer 15 (step SA6).

Next, the system controller 35 reads the recording instruction commandC1 contained in the tag production command (step SA7). The followingsteps SA8 to SA10 are performed by the system controller 35 reading andexecuting the recording instruction command C1.

Next, the system controller 35 gets the recording information D1contained in the recording instruction command C1 (step SA8), andoutputs to the normal recording control unit 38 a of the recordingcontroller 38 (step SA9). Based on the input recording information D1,the normal recording control unit 38 a executes required processes suchas writing the image data of the recording information D1 to an imagebuffer, and controls the recording mechanism 24 to record the recordinginformation D1 on the recording surface 14 a of the label block 14 (stepSA10).

A baggage tag is thus produced with the write data D2 (flightinformation and current date and time information) written to the RFIDtag 11, and the recording information D1 (customer information, flightinformation, barcode information) recorded on the recording surface.

Even if the media processing device 2 receives only the recordinginformation D1 from the host computer 3, the system controller 35 couldcontrol the recording mechanism 24 to record the recording informationD1 on the recording surface 14 a of the label block 14, automaticallygenerate write data D2 combining at least some of the informationcontained in the recording information D1 and the current date and timeinformation, and control the RFID tag read/write controller 37 to writethe write data D2 to the RFID tag 11 through the reader/writer 15.

As described above, the write data D2 written to the RFID tag 11 is usedto identify the flight on which the bag should be loaded, but if thecurrent date and time information is not accurate (does not indicate thecurrent date and time), the wrong flight could be identified based onthe write data D2, and writing write data D2 containing inaccuratecurrent date and time information to the RFID tag 11 must be reliablyprevented. Furthermore, if there is a problem with the RTC 29 such asthe RTC 29 having been reset, there could be a problem with part of themedia processing device 2 due to noise, for example, and correctlywriting the write data D2 to the RFID tag 11 may not be possible.

The media processing device 2 according to this embodiment of theinvention performs the following operation to address this issue.

FIG. 5 is another flow chart of operation of media processing device 2.

First, the system controller 35 of the control unit 20 of the mediaprocessing device 2 checks if the specific condition for starting theprocess from step SA2 was met (step SB1).

The specific condition could be that the media processing device 2 poweris on, a tag production command was received, and a specific time haspast since the last baggage tag was produced, for example, and can bedesirably set by the user.

If the condition is met (step SB1 returns YES), the system controller 35uses the RTC error detection unit 36 b to detect if a RTC 29 erroroccurred (step SB2).

Next, the system controller 35 determines if a RTC 29 error occurred(step SB3), and ends the process if an error did not occur (step SB3returns NO).

If a RTC 29 error occurred (step SB3 returns YES) and a tag productioncommand is then received from the host computer 3, the system controller35 prohibits or blocks recording the recording information D1 andwriting the write data D2 to the RFID tag 11 based on the receivedcommand (step SB4). The system controller 35 could also discard thereceived recording instruction command C1 and recording information D1.

As a result, when a RTC 29 error has occurred and the current date andtime information based on the time kept by the RTC 29 may be wrong (doesnot indicate the current date and time), writing the write data D2containing incorrect current date and time information is reliablyprevented. Because a RTC 29 error occurred, the system controller 35could also decide there is a possible problem with part of the mediaprocessing device 2. Writing the wrong information can be prevented inthis situation because the write data D2 is not written to the RFID tag11.

Next, the reporting unit 39 a of the display controller 39 drives theLEDs of the indicator 21 in a specific way as controlled by the systemcontroller 35 to report that baggage tag production is prohibitedbecause of a RTC 29 error (step SB5). As a result, the user can read theindicator 21 and quickly know that baggage tag production is prohibitedbecause of a RTC 29 error.

Next, the VOID recording control unit 38 b of the recording controller38 controls the recording mechanism 24 and prints a VOID as controlledby the system controller 35 (step SB6). Printing a VOID refers torecording a predetermined image indicating that a problem, including aRTC 29 error, has occurred in the media processing device 2, and recordsthe image on the recording surface 14 a of the label block 14. Byreading the image recorded on the recording surface 14 a of the labelblock 14, the user can quickly know that producing baggage tags isprohibited due to a RTC 29 error.

Alternatively, the VOID recording control unit 38 b could read andrecord report data indicating an error or VOID from the memory unit 40on the recording surface 14 a of the label block 14. Settings includingthe position, direction, size, font, and color, for example, forrecording the report information on the special paper 10 are also storedin the memory unit 40, and at least one of these settings is used torecord on the special paper 10.

A configuration that clears a flag prohibiting recording the recordinginformation D1 and writing the write data D2 to the RFID tag 11 that wasenabled in step SB4 when the RTC 29 error is resolved is alsoconceivable. After resolving the connection problem or battery problem,the user can use a function of the RTC time setting unit 36 a to clearthe RTC 29 error.

As described above, the media processing device 2 according to thisembodiment of the invention has a real-time clock 29; a RTC errordetection unit 36 b that detects RTC 29 errors; a data writing unit(reader/writer 15 and related parts and devices) that writes data to theRFID tag 11 of a label block 14 of special paper 10 by wirelesscommunication; a recording unit (recording mechanism 24 and relatedparts and devices) that records on the recording surface 14 a of a labelblock 14 of the special paper 10; and a system controller 35 (controlunit) that records recording information D1 and writes write data D2using the time kept by the RTC 29 based on a tag production commandreceived from the host computer 3.

When a RTC 29 error is detected, the system controller 35 prohibitsrecording the recording information D1 and writing the write data D2based on a tag production command received from the host computer 3.

As a result, because the system controller 35 prohibits writing thewrite data D2 when a RTC 29 error occurs, knowing that the current dateand time information contained in the write data D2 is based on the timekept by the RTC 29 can be used to reliably prevent writing incorrectinformation to the RFID tag 11. Furthermore, because the systemcontroller 35 prohibits recording the recording information D1 on thelabel block 14 when writing the write data D2 is prohibited, mistakenlythinking that write data D2 was correctly written to the RFID tag 11because the label block 14 was printed normally can be prevented, andthe user can be made aware that a RTC 29 error occurred by making theuser aware that recording on the label block 14 is prohibited.

The media processing device 2 according to this embodiment of theinvention also has a reporting unit 39 a that reports detection of a RTC29 error by the RTC error detection unit 36 b.

This configuration enables the user to quickly know that a RTC 29 erroroccurred based on the report by the reporting unit 39 a, and can takecorrective action.

When a RTC 29 error is detected by the RTC error detection unit 36 b,the reporting unit 39 a in this embodiment controls the recordingmechanism 24 to record an error report on the recording surface 14 a ofthe label block 14. The user can thus know that data was not written tothe RFID tag 11 embedded in the label block 14 on which this errorreport is printed and the RFID tag 11 cannot be used.

This configuration enables using a feature of the device configuration,that is, the recording mechanism 24, to reliably inform the user that aRTC 29 error occurred.

The RTC error detection unit 36 b in this embodiment detects a RTC 29error when the RTC error detection unit 36 b detects that the RTC 29 isnot operating, or detects that the time of the RTC 29 was reset.

This embodiment of the invention can thus use a characteristic of theRTC 29 to appropriately detect RTC 29 errors. That there may be aproblem with part of the media processing device 2 can also bedetermined.

The above-described embodiment of the invention is simply one possibleembodiment. Variations and alternatives with the scope of the inventionare possible, as one skilled in the art will recognize from thedisclosure. For example, the recording head 25 of the media processingdevice 2 in this embodiment is a thermal head, but the recording methodis not so limited; instead, an inkjet head, dot impact head, or otherrecording method could be used. The communication protocol of the IC tagof the medium is not limited to that of the above embodiment; anysuitable communication standard can be used. More specifically, theinvention has wide application in devices that write information basedon a RTC 29 to an IC tag.

Moreover, the function blocks shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 can be achievedin many ways through the cooperation of software and hardware. Suchblock diagrams do not suggest a specific hardware configuration. Thefunctions of individual function blocks of the media processing device 2can also be offloaded to a separate device externally connected to, orin communication with, the media processing device 2. The mediaprocessing device 2 can also execute the operations described above bythe system controller 35 reading and running a program stored on anexternal storage medium.

Also, the special paper 10 is also not limited to label paper. Morebroadly, special paper 10 could be any continuous recording mediumhaving RFID tags affixed at a specific interval thereto.

Each of these and other variations and modifications are intended to bepart of the invention to the extent that it falls within the scope ofthe following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A label printer configured to connect to acontrol device, the label printer comprising: a real-time clockconfigured to keep time; an error detector configured to detect areal-time clock error; a data writer configured to write predeterminedinformation by wireless communication to an IC tag embedded in a labelon continuous paper; and a printing mechanism configured to print on thelabel; and a controller configured to control the data writer, controlthe printing mechanism, check the error detector when identificationinformation is received from the control device, acquire timeinformation from the real-time clock, cause the data writer to write thetime information and identification information to the IC tag and theprinting mechanism to print a symbol code on the label if the errordetector did not detect a real-time clock error, and cause the datawriter to prohibit the writing of the time information andidentification information to the IC tag if the error detector detecteda real-time clock error.
 2. The label printer described in claim 1,further comprising: a reporter; wherein the controller controls thereporter to report if a real-time clock error was detected by the errordetector.
 3. The label printer described in claim 1, wherein: thecontroller controls the printing mechanism to print report informationon the label if a real-time clock error was detected by the errordetector.
 4. The label printer described in claim 1, further comprising:a memory configured to store report information; wherein the controllercontrols the printing mechanism to print the identification informationon the label if a real-time clock error was not detected by the errordetector, and controls the printing mechanism to print the reportinformation stored in the memory on the label if a real-time clock errorwas detected by the error detector.
 5. The label printer described inclaim 1, wherein: the error detector detects a real-time clock error ifthe real-time clock is not operating or if the time kept by thereal-time clock is reset.
 6. A control method for a label printerconfigured to connect to a control device and including a real-timeclock configured to keep time, an error detector configured to detect areal-time clock error, a data writer configured to write predeterminedinformation by wireless communication to an IC tag embedded in a labelon continuous paper, and a printing mechanism configured to print on thelabel, the control method comprising: checking the error detector whenidentification information is received from the control device;acquiring time information from the real-time clock, writing the timeinformation and identification information to the IC tag using the datawriter and printing a symbol code on the label using the printingmechanism if the error detector did not detect a real-time clock error;and prohibiting the writing of the time information and identificationinformation to the IC tag if the error detector detected a real-timeclock error.
 7. The control method for a label printer described inclaim 6, wherein: the label printer has a reporter; the control methodfurther comprising reporting by the reporter if a real-time clock errorwas detected by the error detector.
 8. The control method for a labelprinter described in claim 6, the control method further comprising:printing report information on the label by the printing mechanism if areal-time clock error was detected by the error detector.
 9. The controlmethod for a label printer described in claim 6, wherein: the labelprinter a memory configured to store report information; the controlmethod further comprising: printing the identification information onthe label by the printing mechanism if a real-time clock error was notdetected by the error detector; and printing the report informationstored in the memory on the label by the printing mechanism if areal-time clock error was detected by the error detector.
 10. Thecontrol method for a label printer described in claim 6, wherein: theerror detector detects a real-time clock error if the real-time clock isnot operating or if the time kept by the real-time clock is reset.
 11. Anon-transitory storage medium configured to store a program forexecution by a controller configured to control parts of a label printerconfigured to connect to a control device and that includes a real-timeclock configured to keep time, an error detector configured to detect areal-time clock error, a data writer configured to write predeterminedinformation by wireless communication to an IC tag embedded in a labelon continuous paper, and a printing mechanism configured to print on thelabel, the program causing the controller to: check the error detectorwhen identification information is received from the control device;acquire time information from the real-time clock; cause the data writerto write the time information and identification information to the ICtag and the printing mechanism to print a symbol code on the label ifthe error detector did not detect a real-time clock error; and cause thedata writer to prohibit the writing of the time information andidentification information to the IC tag if the error detector detecteda real-time clock error.
 12. The non-transitory storage medium storingthe program described in claim 11, wherein: the label printer has areporter; and the program causes the controller to report by thereporter if a real-time clock error was detected by the error detector.13. The non-transitory storage medium storing the program described inclaim 11, the program causing the controller to: print reportinformation on the on the label by the printing mechanism if a real-timeclock error was detected by the error detector.
 14. The non-transitorystorage medium storing the program described in claim 11, wherein: thelabel printer has a memory configured to store report information; andthe program causes the controller to: print the identificationinformation on the label by the printing mechanism if a real-time clockerror was not detected by the error detector, and print the reportinformation stored in the memory on the label by the printing mechanismif a real-time clock error was detected by the error detector.
 15. Thenon-transitory storage medium storing the program described in claim 11,wherein: the error detector detects a real-time clock error if thereal-time clock is not operating or if the time kept by the real-timeclock is reset.